TDI block heater

[theman53]

http://www.jcwhitney.com/tank-type-engine-heaters/p2000837.jcwx?skuId=206196&filterid=c1648u0j1

I am thinking of doing this instead of a normal block heater in my TDI. Do any of you run these? If so do you notice a difference in cooling or is it fine to leave in all year? Also, if you run one, does it do a good job of heating? My TDI starts whenever, it just takes 25 minutes to have really good heat and maybe 10 to have noticable heat when it is really cold.

[libbydiesel]

Why would you prefer that over a freeze plug style?

I totally understand wanting better heat.  My two complaints about my mTDI are that it's too efficient (it takes a LONG time for heat in cold weather) and it's too powerful (it makes my clutch slip).

[theman53]

Mainly for the convienience of the install.

[RabbitJockey]

i had the freeze plug style, it definitely made starting in the cold easier but it didn't seem to actually make anything hot or noticebly warm faster

[theman53]

In the 1.6 I had it made heat TONS faster, also felt like the engine was "free" .

The TDI I could let idle for years and it would never heat up much. I just figured this other style would be easier to plumb in.

[the caveman]

Be careful of poor quality freeze plug insert block heaters. Seen many pop out. The only ones we would install were the ones that came through VW. They were made in Canada, I wish we could have seen who made them

[8v-of-fury]

The TDI I could let idle for years and it would never heat up much. I just figured this other style would be easier to plumb in.

It was about.. 32F here today, and I drove my mtdi around for a good half hour in town.. and just.. JUST made it to operating temperatures. I am afraid for winter. I really am.

[rbremiller]

       I concur with "the caveman" use only a high quality heater. I've had very good success using Kats block heaters http://www.fivestarmanufacturing.com/Kat_s in my VW's for 20 + years. My '99.5 Jetta doesn't need one and we've had a few mild winters lately but I remember plugging that heater in @ 0º up on the mountain I lived on and in 20 minutes the top hose was warm. I think the block heater has better heat transfer as the heat goes straight up into the head. I've been considering a block heater for my mTDI (first winter) in addition to relayed coolant glow plugs; 2 on 1 relay and 1 on the other. Have you considered the CGP's for heat?
Rich B

[8v-of-fury]

I was gonna consider hooking up the CGP's on my mtdi for this first winter with it.

I didnt need glowplugs even at the tail end of last winter (when i did the swap) and it was still -20c.

[RabbitJockey]

In the 1.6 I had it made heat TONS faster, also felt like the engine was "free" .

The TDI I could let idle for years and it would never heat up much. I just figured this other style would be easier to plumb in.

Come to think of it I may have had a stuck open thermostat at the time,

Which is why I did this, the mannequin was for the lolz

[theman53]

NICE! Reminds me of the old days when I would drive around with "inflate a date" buckled into the passenger side of my truck.

Well, I just found this out by asking a garage and Lord Verminaard about the ALH block. The garage said that there was something difficult and they couldn't remember but it wasn't possible to put the freeze plug style in economically. I asked Lord V if the ALH even had freeze plugs on the back of the engine and he said his does not. I couldn't see any on mine and thought it may require removal of the turbo, but I guess not. Here is reason #2 I won't put the freeze plug style in.

[libbydiesel]

That's a good reason.  Yup, I just went and looked at one of my ALH engines and sue enough, no freeze plugs.  I haven't rebuilt one yet, so I hadn't noticed the lack. 

[R.O.R-2.0]

the frost heater part of that post was the only thing i really cared about..

happy tho? i took it off for you

[8v-of-fury]

happy tho? i took it off for you

But then added it back lol

[madrogers]

Up here in winnipeg it gets cold and the glue on oil pan heater the dealer put on when we bought the car just did not cut it. I found a strap on heater ( dont laught) . it is an oil pan heater basicly, it is a 300 watt element that has a tin cover on the back of it with a stud sticking out the clover , i made a littel braket and attached it agaist the block beside the turbo ( there is the only open  space to get somthing against the block ) run the wire and it works great, i can e-mail a pic if you would like, would like to post a pic but cann"t figger out how to do this on this board .